Monday, February 20, 2012

There are so many buds I can hardly count them...and it's the first time it has happened since I put this little lovely in it's pot almost 5 years ago!

I love magnolias and I have always wanted one in my yard. Well...even though I am a landscape designer by trade (and schooling!) my garden leaves a bit to be desired - you know what they say - the cobbler never has new shoes, the seamstress sews for everyone else, the painter doesn't paint his own house...etc., etc., and so forth. So, some years ago I put a small magnolia (Magnolia stellata or Star Magnolia) in a pot and set it on my porch, waiting for those beautiful blossoms each year. There were a few, but this year it has outdone itself and I am just tickled about it.

Just stunning and each day there are a few more...what a wonderful gift!

Saturday, February 18, 2012

To me Valentines Day isn't only about my Sweetie Pie, but about my girlies, family and friends. Ever since they were little my girlies have always gotten a little Valentine gift from us - and my hubby has always gone shopping on his own and brought his girlies (me included!) his own special gifts and cards. And...as you saw on my Heart Day blog I love to give Valentine gifts.

Well this year I received a very special Valentine gift from a very special friend! Just look at this lovely home-made cake!!!

Not only did it look gorgeous, but it tasted so yummy! We enjoyed it so much...for dessert...for breakfast...for lunch...for anytime at all actually! Thank you Special Friend!!!

I also wanted to share the Valentine that I made for my hubby 'cause it was easy to do and you could make one too! And it could really be for any occasion.

I made a little book of all of the things I love about him...well a lot of the things anyway!

I love to cut things out of magazines and books (old books of course!) and I mixed some of those images with phrases that I printed from the computer and some fun papers and other items.

I made a cover from cardboard ( I have a drawer-ful of cardboard -that doesn't surprise you does it? - that I have saved from various places...old boxes, drink carriers, packaging...)

I punched holes in all the pages and the covers and then tied them together with some cord. I creased the front cover so it would be easier to read the book...

and Voila! there you have it a handmade book for my special someone! He liked it very much...and by the way bought me the most beautiful card that made me cry - the happy tears!

So...you really don't have to wait until next Heart Day...go ahead and make a little book now, tell someone how you feel about them!

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

I made some little heart hairpins for my girlies to give to their ballet students...

If you would like to make some gather these supplies:

Some fun fabrics

Some coordinating felts

Bobby pins

Needle and thread, of course...and don't forget the scissors

...you can either fold your pieces of fabric and felt and cut your hearts freehand (they don't all have to be exactly the same) or make a template out of cardstock or cardboard

Oh and some glass beads!

So ... cut out some hearts from your fabric and then cut coordinating hearts of the same size from your felt. Now cut out some tiny hearts to decorate with. Stitch your small felt heart to the fabric heart with a little bead and then put the fabric and felt hearts together back to back and blanket stitch around the edges. It's that easy...

secure a bobby pin to the back of the heart with a few stitches and Voila! you have a Valentine hair pin. These would actually make a cute gift for any time - not just Valentine's Day.

I also made some little Valentine tokens for myself to give away (but true to form I did not get the ones I was going to send to friends in the mail on time!?)

Before these are given out they will get a piece of twine tied to the branch so they can be hung up. As long as you don't live too far away (like where a mailman would be involved...) you might get one of these Valentines!

Sunday, February 12, 2012

As a part of the relaunch of my own etsy shop, Studio 1215, I would love to introduce you to some of the many wonderful items available on etsy.com. Fair warning...once you realize all the wonders of etsy you may find yourself called back again and again to browse it's lovely wares!

So here goes.... the first monthly installment of 'My Current Etsy Favorites'...........

This charming little doll is made by a friend of my brother and sister-in-law...whose name is Elizabeth Buenrostro. My brother, Brad, and Tina received two of these dolls for their wedding - fashioned to look just like them!

Her shop is Applesauce Designs and she also makes the most darling children's clothing - with a mixture of new and vintage fabrics. (just click on these photos to visit her shop...all of the following photos are linked to the shops)

This little dress even has 'fancy pants' (as we call them!) to go under it!

This next shop comes to us all the way from Montreal...Royal Mint makes adorable felted creatures and objects...

I am feeling the need to have this wonderful pencil topper. Wouldn't it be just the right thing atop my perfectly sharpened pencil!?

This necklace is on my wish list...it comes with one gemstone and you can add more as you like. Lillian Ginebra who makes the gorgeous things for this shop is another California girl! She has so many other beautiful pieces you must go and take a look-see!

And this little ring... I may just go and buy it as soon as I am finished with this post! I love wearing lots of tiny rings all stacked up and ScapeStackRings is a great little shop to find some. So go pick one or two or three and sit back and anticipate your package's arrival all the way from Scotland!

Just another great thing about etsy - you can shop around the world even without going around the world!

This is just a smattering of the many things that you can find on etsy...vintage items and supplies are also available. Next time you need a gift or have some fun money to spend - head to etsy and your $$$ won't be in your pocket for long!